Minibus carrying students escapes landmine blast

[TamilNet, Thursday, 02 June 2005, 12:18 GMT]A minibus carrying more than 70 students travelling to participate in Tamileelam Students Uprising Day in Kaludavalai from LTTE controlled Pankudaveli in Batticaloa narrowly escaped a Claymore landmine attack at 8.30 AM on Thursday. The incident took place 100 meters from a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) checkpoint at Koduvamadu in Chenkallady-Badulla Road.

Mr. Selvam from the media unit of the Liberation Tigers in Batticaloa-Amparai told TamilNet that the likely intention of the attackers was either to harm the students or to scare them away from participating in the Students Uprising Day.

Around 5000 students and teachers from Valaichenai to Pottuvil participated in the Students Uprising Day event held at Kaludawalai common playground, sources said.